#I just wanted to draw this outfit and Chloe was the chosen one

[dragonduckyquack]

// Chloe Bourgois + Pollen \\

[goggles-mcgee]

Hello. I love the prompt " the commission " can we have the full story please ? How will the avengers react of the news about Hawkmoth?

The full story will come later I promise! I unleashed so many things onto myself but I have no regrets XD Though I shall share some headcanons with you guys about the AU in the mean time!

* Pepper has been a fan of MDC since she saw the designs for Penny and Jagged’s wedding attire. Her and Penny are friends and when she asked who made Penny’s dress and Jagged’s suit, Penny was all too happy to tell her and brag about Marinette and show her everything else Mari had designed for her and Jagged and others. 

* When Tony officially proposed, Pepper already knew who she wanted to make her dress. She could tell Tony was hesitant to ask MDC since she wasn’t that well known yet, but they both knew he couldn’t say no to her, so it was no surprise when she caught him looking at her website and commission prices. Later she pretended not to notice him calling Penny and asking for MDC’s email. Pepper liked to let him believe he could keep anything from her, it was the thought that counted. 

* Peter, Harley, MJ, and Ned are all excited for the wedding. Peter gets to be the flower boy which he is super happy about and Harley is the ring bearer. 

* MJ is also a fan of MDC

* The whole “Minion” squad are Jagged Stone fans. Peter’s favorite album may or may not be Rock Giant.  👀

*The Minion Squad are all off school for summer already, Marinette just started summer since it’s the beginning days of July. While the Minion Squad plans to help plan the wedding, invent, prank the Avengers, and just have some good summer fun, Marinette plans to work on her MDC commissions since she knew she would be getting a lot. Penny had given her a heads up. Besides, there wasn’t much friends she could hang out with since Luka had told her that him, his sister, and his mom planned to sail around for the summer. Anarka wantedd to get the kids out of Paris for a while. Chloe and Sabrina would be going on vacation with Chloe’s mom to Milan for two weeks and then to New York for a month so Chloe could see her mother’s business and get a feel of it and see if it is something she would want to take over. Kagami and her mother would also be leaving Paris to visit family in Japan. The only ones she would be able to hang out with would be Alix, Nathaniel, and Marc. 

* Then she gets the email from Tony. Freaking. Stark! She nearly faints! Okay. She faints. He actually wants Marinette to design and make his and Pepper Potts wedding attire!!! His email said that he would house her and her team for however long she needed for the consulting period and the beginning work of the outfits. Okay actually it said till the outfits were done but she would discuss that with him and Pepper when she got there because wedding dresses typically took 6-9 months to make. She figured she had time as he did specify they were planning a December wedding of next year, something about it being a Christmas present. 

* After she talks it over with her parents, she responds to Tony that she would love to design and make his and Pepper’s wedding attire but before the discuss anything further she would like for them to video chat. Tony agrees later that day, which is more than enough time for Marinette to set up at Jagged and Penny’s house, they officially bought a house in Paris yes, along with her mother and father so they could talk everything over with Mr. Stark. When the camera connects, Tony swears he must be rebooting because he did not think that MDC was a 16 year old girl, but he adapts quickly and understands now why she wanted to discuss the arrangement more.

* Tom and Sabine are even more delighted and on board on sending Marinette to New York when Tony offers to let her stay in Stark Tower/Avengers Tower with the heroes and his Minions. Marinette of course asks if she can bring some friends, they’re not officially her team but she would feel better having them there with her. Of course Tony agrees because he could practically hear Pepper scold him if he said no and they continue to set everything up while Marinette calls up Alix, Marc and Nathaniel and ask if they want to go with her to New York to go to the Avengers Tower. It takes too long in her opinion to convince them that no. she’s not joking, and yes she is serious. 

* Once they get their parents permission they plan to leave on Saturday which would be in two days. It’s a little hectic, especially because Marinette didn’t know if she should take the Miracle Box or not but in the end she decides to leave it with her mom and dad, aka the new Turtle and Fox heroes of Paris. They had found out she was Ladybug a little after she had become the Guardian because she had broken down. Everything had become too much for her and Tikki couldn’t stand to see her chosen like that so she told Tom and Sabine that their daughter was Ladybug. 

* Marinette was going to take the Horse, Mouse, and of course, Ladybug Miraculous, to New York though. Her mom promised that she would text her or call her as soon as she could if they spotted or heard an akuma, and that they would fight it off until she got there. 

* When Marinette and her friends get to New York and meet Tony, he can tell they’ve fought in a fight children shouldn’t have to, but he doesn’t know how to ask about it so he pushes it back till he can think of a way to approach the subject. He immediately takes a liking to Marinette, he can tell she’s smart for her age, and he just likes her energy. 

* Then Tony introduces them to his Minions and Peter, Ned, and Harley all have a collective freakout because they are meeting THE MDC. MJ is, of course, happy too but she can at least keep her cool when meeting the designer who made Jagged Stone’s iconic Eiffel Tower sunglasses, the one who designed his Rock Giant album art, and the one who made his Roaring Dragon Jacket! Peter asks Marinette if she can sign his copy of the album and Tony thinks it’s all down hill from there. He can see the kid’s blush from across the room. 

* The consultation happens and Pepper is just as surprised as Tony was when she learns MDC is only 16 but she hides it fairly well. Both are pleasantly surprised by Marinette’s professionalism and are pleased with the overall talk about what they want out of the design. Tony even manages to squeeze in another suit for Peter because he knows the kid and he is not letting him wear a rented tux to his wedding. 

* Tony and Pepper have dinner with the kids and the Minions and it’s decided that they can stay for the summer, and no Pepper don’t look at Tony like that it’s not because he’s trying to help Peter get a date for the wedding.

* Then Marinette meets the Avengers. Thor loves her, but like who doesn’t Thor love? And who doesn’t love Thor? She is super interested in learning about Asgard, especially its fashion and she even talks Thor into giving her some fabric samples to work with. He just loves her enthusiasm and he appreciates her letting him talk about his home and his people. Marc and Nathaniel get a great picture of the two of them sitting on Thor’s flexed arms. Marc also loves to hear about Thor’s home and people and Nathaniel loves to draw him and those he talks about. 

Natasha accidentally sneaks up on Marinette, she never means to do it, it is just how she is, so when this little girl turns around in a flash with a pencil held in her fist as a weapon her eyes narrowed looking for the danger, she is suprised and has to stop her own reflexes from sweeping the girls legs from under her. She respects Marinette’s reflexes and the two spar and Marinette tells her she used to do ballet when Natasha asks her why her turns and spins almost seem like she’s doing a dance and Natasha’s eyes light up. The two bond over ballet 

Bucky, Clint, and Steve meet her one morning when they go to the kitchen and find so many goodies to eat and see this tiny little girl singing to herself as she pulls muffins out of the oven. She turns to them and smiles and says good morning before introducing herself so they do as well. When Steve introduces himself her eyes narrow and she hisses out, “YOU.” He’s so confused until she starts tearing into him about him hero suit. Bucky and Clint of course love this moment and will cherish it forever. 

She meets Bruce and he’s heard of this little terror from Steve and he’s thinking she’s going to tear into Hulk about wearing only shorts but then she’s shaking his hand and saying it’s an honor to meet you Dr. Banner, apparently she’s read some of his papers. And Bruce can’t help but smile for the rest of the day. 

When Wanda meets her she just hugs the little girl for a while because she hadn’t meant to see how her ex friends had treated her back in Paris but she did and this child needed a hug. Marinette had just been asking what material her jacket was made out of so they had touched briefly, then she was being hugged, but she didn’t mind, she figured maybe Wanda was having an off day and needed a hug.

Vision had just looked at Marinette and said, “Miraculous.” nobody knew what he meant but Marinette did and she just put a finger to her lips with her eyes wide with panic. Thankfully he got what she was trying to say and gave her a nod and small smile. 

Tony said there was more people for her to meet but she would have the whole summer to do that so she was content. 

* Then the first akuma alert went off when they were there in New York. Marinette thought everyone was sleeping when she created the portal and leapt through...she didn’t know how wrong she was. 

[hermionemonica]

Disguises to Reveal

Hey @flashflashitsash! Happy birthday! Hope you like this little thing I made for you! This isn’t much, but I hope you like it!

(This is the first fic that I’m posting in this place, fingers crossed!)

(I own none of the characters. This is merely a fan fiction.)

A03 link

“I’m sure Alya and Nino are going to love their costumes!” quipped Tikki, zooming out of Marinette’s purse as soon as her chosen had shut the latch door behind her.

“I really hope so. Those two are so adorable, don’t you think?” said Marinette. “I mean, Nino wanted a Rena Rogue inspired hoodie, and Alya wanted a Carapace themed dress. Could they be any more in love with each other?”

Tikki giggled in response.

“But you are yet to make your costume, right?” the kwami asked.

“Yeah, you’re right. I have some ideas, but I need to draw them out to decide.”

“Don’t worry Marinette, you have more than two weeks-enough time to create your masterpiece!”

“I guess I better get started, huh Tikki?” Marinette picked a macaroon from the plate on her table and stuffed it in her mouth.  Plopping down on the chair, she swung around to face her desk.  

Tikki went to help herself to the cookies in Marinette’s cupboard.  

When Tikki floated back to Marinette, she saw her chosen engrossed in her sketching, tongue stuck out and eyes scrunched up in concentration. She looked really cute like that. Tikki turned around to see what the design was that she was working on. The black and the ears gave the theme away.

“Are you making a costume based on Chat Noir?”

Marinette sprang up with a shriek; apparently she had been so into her work that she hadn’t noticed the kwami. After she took a moment to calm her nerves, she replied “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, Marinette? Is this Lady Noire then?”

“Nope again.”

“Then what is it?”

“Well actually, it is both, but it is neither. I am trying to create a fusion of both the designs, along with some of my own modifications. Like I kept Chat’s bell and tail-belt, but I also included Lady Noir’s neon green details. And these,” she pointed to the fur on the collar and cuffs, “I thought would look good.”

"But why go through all the trouble?”

“Well, firstly, I didn’t want it to be all Lady Noire because then someone might recognise me, which I cannot let happen, of course. And secondly, I don’t want it to be all Chat Noir because I don’t want anyone, especially that flirty kitty, to get the wrong ideas about my very platonic feelings for Chat.”

The unnecessary stress she put on the word “platonic" earned her a giggle from Tikki.

“Oh Marinette, you really think of every little detail, don’t you?”

“Well, Ladybug can’t really afford to miss the spots, right?” As soon as the words left Marinette’s lips, she seemed to realise what she had done, and her cheeks flushed a deep pink. “Oh no, I guess Chat’s puns are beginning to rub off on me.”

“Well, you don’t think Chat Noir will be present at this party, do you?”

“The Mayor of Paris has invited almost the whole city to his Halloween party. I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiot cat turned up in a ridiculous costume!”

As if you’d recognise him, thought Tikki.

“While I understand you are not going as Ladybug in order to protect your secret identity,” said Tikki, as she settled down on Marinette’s shoulder, “But you could have done something else too? The party is not superhero themed!”

“You’re right, but…” Marinette faltered. How could she explain to her kwami that the idea of a cat costume had been stuck in her head since Reflekdoll? When Chat Noir had turned up for patrol that night, he had commented that she looked cute in cat ears. True, that was a compliment for Ladybug, and not Marinette, but she really wanted to give it a try. Ladybug and Marinette were the same girl after all.

“Because I look cute in a cat costume?” Marinette turned to her little friend.

Tikki gave her a knowing look; the tiny deity was thousands of years old after all. She wasn’t quite unfamiliar with young hearts.

“Going Ladybug themed again, aren’t we?”

Adrien grinned sheepishly at his kwami, who shot him a look of disgust.

“You know what?” Plagg declared, “This is an insult to me! I am the all powerful kwami of destruction, and my kitten is going to represent some other power at this stupid dress-up game!”

“Well, first of all, this is a Halloween party thrown by the Mayor at the Grand Paris hotel, not a dress-up game.”

Plagg rolled his eyes,  and mumbled something that sounded like “Potayto, potahto.” Adrien smirked, amused, that Plagg could name any food other than cheese.

“And secondly, this is most importantly to protect my identity. If I went as Chat Noir, then it would be game over!”

“Oh, because going as Mister Bug is such a disguise right?”

“There weren’t any male Ladybug outfits available! They had all been replaced by Mister Bug suits! Guess Mister Bug made quite an impression, huh?”

Plagg pretended to gag.

“Oh please. I know Tikki is a disaster at designing and fashion.”

“Tell her to spend some time with Marinette then,” Adrien joked.  

“She already is,” whispered Plagg to himself.

“What was that?” asked Adrien.

“Nothing,” Plagg waved it off, swallowing an entire slice of Camembert whole.

In any other circumstances, Adrien might have pressed on. But now, his mind was occupied with another thought. He smiled at himself, thinking how at the mention of designing, the first name that came into his mind was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Not anyone else, and he knew so many other designers, being directly associated with the Fashion industry. Not even his father. But he thought of his… friend. Would Marinette be present at the party, he wondered. What would she wear?

“Kid, you there?”

Plagg’s voice shook Adrien out of his reverie.

“Yeah.”

“So, there’s no changing your mind now?” Plagg whined, as Adrien looked at himself in the mirror. The costume really fitted him like the glove. He made a mental note to thank Chloe later on for telling him about that shop.

“Don’t worry,” Adrien went on, “no one will remember Mister Bug that well.”

“Reflekdoll changed people’s looks, Adrien, not their eyesight or memories!”

“You’re overthinking Plagg.”

“You better hope you don’t blow off your cover, kid.”

When Marinette walked into the party, she was nervous. This was the first costume party she had attended after acquiring her secret superhero identity. In order to further ensure that no one recognised her as Lady Noire, she had decided to skip the braid or pigtails, and was wearing her hair down tonight. She had gone out of her way to make the suit comfortable, unlike their skin-tight super suits (which she’d never admit to Tikki, lest her little friend felt hurt or offended), but it still felt stuffy. For probably the tenth time that night, she wondered if it’d have been better if she had gone for a loose-fitting onesie style outfit, in stead of the body hugging leather suit. But she knew better than anyone else, that her discomfort was more due to her anxiety than anything related to her outfit.

Her eyes scanned the crowd for familiar faces. It was not an easy job, given that everyone was wearing masks and costumes and disguises, and it was difficult to recognise anyone. After a few minutes of scanning, she noticed a head of red hair bobbing in the crowd. Cursing her short height, she stood up on her tiptoes and craned her neck to get a better view. Alya and Nino were literally smashing the dance floor. Marinette stood down to her normal level, and smiled to herself. This was probably not the right time to barge in. Alya was awesome, but she was a fireball when she was in the mood. While that meant she was a never-ending source of energy and warmth, she might be a little intimidating and overbearing at times. And right now, she thought it was safer to steer clear of her fiery best friend.

Marinette looked away in search of a comparatively less crowded place, where she could wait by herself till Alya exhausted herself. Just then, a mass of messy blond hair came into her view. There was no way she was going to miss those very familiar spikes. At once, she sprang up and began to push through the crowd to reach him.

Adrien had entered the party with Chloe, but he had since lost her in the crowd. In a way, that was a good thing, but that also meant he was left all alone. Not like he was unaccustomed to being by himself in events, but tonight he was really hoping to have fun with his friends. He tried calling Nino, but he didn’t pick up. Of course, the music was definitely loud enough to drown out the phone chimes. And anyone who was familiar with Nino would know that the aspiring DJ would forget everything else when music was involved. So he stood there, waving and smiling at the occasional passer-by.  

It had been ten minutes and no one had yet recognised Mister Bug. Adrien heaved a sigh of relief. He made his way to the drinks counter, and asked for some pumpkin juice.  

That was when it happened.

“Chat Noir?”

When Adrien heard someone call him by his superhero name, the word that passed through his mind was “Shit.” He was screwed. Plagg was never going to let him live this down.

Oh no. Ladybug was going to kill him.

He turned around slowly with an awkward grin on his face. As he looked into the eyes of his assaulter, he took in a sharp breath. Green met blue, as the grass meets the sky at the horizon. He stood there, mesmerized and transfixed, unable to move his gaze from those enchanting eyes staring at him.

After a few moments, Adrien finally broke off enough to take in the rest of the person. Freckled cheeks, shoulder length raven hair. And she was wearing a cat costume. Neither Chat Noir nor Lady Noire though. And on her wrist was a very familiar bracelet…

“Marinette?”

Marinette seemed to break off from her daze just then.  

She looked beautiful.

Oh no. Marinette knew who he was. Adrien was utterly screwed.

“You silly cat, why are you not in your Chat suit?”

Wait a minute…

“Princess?”

“I thought we would be twinning. But you decide to go in your other suit?”

It looked like Marinette had figured out only his superhero side. That was a relief, but only as long as no one called him by his real name in front of her. The best option now would be to get somewhere… private.

As Adrien quickly picked Marinette up in his arms and slung her over his shoulder, he saw that her eyes widened in shock. He prayed that she wouldn’t yell, but it seemed like she was too stunned to react.

He put her down only when they reached the bathroom inside the hotel. Marinette immediately launched into a rant.

“Stupid cat, what the hell was that?”

“Uhh, I wanted to steal some privacy with you?”

“So you had to do that?”

“You know me Princess, I am extra-purr-dinary.“

Marinette rolled her eyes and tried hard to suppress her grin.

“So what are you doing here? Did you come here with Ladybug?”

“Oh no no. You see, this stray is all by itself tonight.”

Marinette snorted.

“No offence Chat, but cat puns in a ladybug costume don’t sound that good.”

“Me-owch, Marinette! Surely you don’t want me to give up the very beam of my existence, do you?”

“If by that you mean your puns, then I’d say you need to up your game,” said Marinette as she reached up and ruffled his hair. Chat’s hair looked unnaturally tame tonight, and it was bothering her.

This was new. The last time she had seen him as Mister Bug, the poor guy was confused and lost. And now, seeing Mister Bug with Chat’s personality, Marinette felt a warmth she could not explain.

But why was he wearing Mister Bug’s suit? Marinette instinctively touched her earlobes, her earrings were there.

“Chat, did you and Ladybug swap Miraculouses again?” she asked him. What the hell was happening?

Chat looked confused.  

“Wha- Oh. You’re talking about this?” he said, pointing at his body. “It’s a just cosplay outfit.”

Marinette blinked.

“Woah, this is some brilliant work. Almost like the real thing!”

“Well, I know you are a designer yourself and you’d know all about it. But I won’t be so sure to say that this thing is like the real suit. Because, you see, no one but you recognised me as Mister Bug.”

That’s because none of them have seen you from as close quarters as I have, thought Marinette.

“You know I’d know you anywhere!” Marinette winked at him.  

It was then that it struck her.

“Wait, you mean everyone outside knows your civilian identity?”

“Um, that is a little complicated, Princess. Just like you know my superhero identity right now but not who I am underneath, the others seem to know my civilian self but not my superhero alter ego.”

“Uh… I think I get what you mean.”

Chat flashed a very Chat Noir-esque grin.

“But that doesn’t mean you can just go about flaunting your superhero self, and just giving everyone a very good guess at your secret! What if Hawkmoth figured you out tonight, just because you were so reckless and vain?”

“You know, you sound like my kwami. Are you a fan of cheese too? Because if you are, then I might have some for you!”

“Stop joking, Chat! Focus!”

At that, she struck him over the head with her toy baton.  

Adrien got a very strong sense of deja-vu. Another day, so long ago it seemed, another raven-haired girl in a cat suit had struck him over the head in the same way. Adrien stared at Marinette, dazed by her for the second time in that evening. His lady had worn the exact same expression that day. Could it be that…? Adrien had never noticed how blue Marinette’s eyes were, almost like Ladybug’s. And Ladybug’s freckles that he had loved; Marinette had the exact same freckles on her cheeks. Had it really been that easy? Their everyday Ladybug was his Lady? Ladybug sat behind him in class all this time and he never noticed? Looking at it now, he wanted to hit himself. How blind had he been? Of course, the two strongest, bravest, and most amazing women in his life were one and the same. The incredible girl who would never back down from a challenge was also the sweet girl who always helped others.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng was Ladybug.

He felt like his cheeks were on fire. What was he going to do now? He wanted to pick Lad-no, Marinette, in his arms and whirl her around while shouting out how much he loved her.  

Marinette was looking at him with a strange expression. Her annoyance from earlier seemed to have given way for confusion, although her brows were knit together in concern. Oh she was so cute. He wanted to kiss her. Right then and there.

Maybe he would have, if Marinette’s phone did not ring just at that moment. Marinette jumped up in startlement, and Adrien was well acquainted with this move of hers. In her hurry to take her phone out of her pocket and receive the call, accidentally put it on speaker.

"MARINETTE!” boomed Alya’s voice, as Marinette pulled her phone as far away from her ears as possible. “WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?!”

It took Marinette a little time to get oriented again. “Uh, hi Alya?”

“Girl, I just saw Adrien carry you inside the hotel! Tell me what is going on between you two!”

Adrien gulped.

“Adrien?” Marinette repeated, bewildered. “But I’m here with…” she looked up into Chat Noir’s eyes.

How had she never noticed that they were the same shade as Adrien’s?

Something clicked inside her, and the cogs in her brain started running again.

“Adrien?” she whispered, unable to break her eyes away from his.  

“H-hey Mari.” Chat-Adrien scratched his neck nervously.

“Oh my God,” whispered Marinette, still shocked.

Adrien took the phone from her hands, and ended the call. It was better that Alya was kept out of this for now.

“I guess the cat is out of the bag, m’lady.”  

Marinette’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What did you call me… OH MY GOD YOU KNOW!”

[waltzofthewifi]

Alter Ego (Marinette March #10)

Monday

Tikki glanced over Marinette’s shoulder, so Marinette adjusted her position to let Tikki see the webpage. 

“Every year, our entire school votes for winners of certain categories,” Marinette explained. “This year we have ‘Most Likely To Become Famous’, ‘Most Likely To Accidentally Stumble Upon A Million Dollars’ - I’m putting Lila down for that, she’s way too lucky, ‘Most Likely To Successfully Run A Criminal Empire’, ‘Most Likely To Be Ladybug’-”

“That’s not good!” Tikki said.

Marinette gave her kwami a reassuring pat on the head. “Don’t worry, they’re not being serious about it. Besides, it’s not like I’m going to be chosen for that. I know Adrien likes to talk about how I’m an everyday Ladybug, but I don’t think anyone actually believes it.”

Tikki hummed doubtfully.

The Previous Monday

Marinette, as always, arrived to class in just the nick of time. 

But even if the bell had yet to ring, she still felt she was late. After all, clearly something had happened to have Alix and Ivan at each others throats. 

“What’s going on?” Marinette asked. 

“Alix crashed into Mylene earlier and broke her arm,” Ivan replied, voice low with anger. 

“It’s not my fault!” Alix yelled back. “She wasn’t looking where she was going either!” “You were on skates,” Ivan replied. “It was your responsibility to look where you were going, but you didn’t.” 

Marinette studied the two. They both looked mad, but in her experience, anger sometimes was just a symptom of another emotion. 

And she knew her friends well enough to guess. 

“Ivan, I know you’re concerned about Mylene, but yelling at Alix isn’t going to fix what already happened,” Marinette interceded. “I can’t say whose fault it was, but Alix cares for Mylene too. If she is at fault here, she probably already knows it. And Alix, I know you probably feel guilty, but if you messed up there’s nothing you can do now but apologize and try to do better next time.”

Ivan deflated first. “You’re right. I think I need to take a walk.”

“A wonderful idea, Ivan,” Bustier commented. 

Ivan still moved with a bit of anger as he went to grab his backpack. The door shut behind him with a bang, but no one commented. 

Alix remained tense. Marinette thought she detected the beginning of tears. 

“Alix, it’s okay if it’s your fault,” Marinette said, putting her hand on Alix’s shoulder. “You made a mistake - everyone does. The important thing is that you learn from it.” Alix didn’t budge, so Marinette added. “No one is judging you for this.” 

That deflated her. “I just - I was so worried I’d hurt her! I mean, badly! I know people who had really bad concussions from that type of collision and I thought I -” 

Alix sniffled, and Marinette opened her arms to her. The two hugged for a few seconds before Alix pulled away. 

“You're right. I need to learn from this - and I will!” 

.

Tuesday

“Okay, so Alya can get Lila’s drink, Alix can get Mylene’s drink, Ivan can get Mylene’s tray, and then Nino and Juleka can split Lila’s tray between the two of them,” Rose deduced as they walked towards the cafeteria. 

“I can get something,” Mylene argued. “Only one of my arms are broken.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with that!” Rose replied. 

Alya’s phone beeped, and she peaked at the screen. “Guys, wait up - Marinette said to meet her back in Bustier’s room. She has a treat for us!” 

“Oh, I hope she brought something from her bakery,” Nino said.

“Me too,” Mylene said wistfully. 

It was a short walk back to the classroom, and the class was greeted by a delicious smell. 

“Forget pastry treats, she brought a whole lunch!” Alix said. 

Marinette greeted them. “Hey everyone! So I thought everyone could use a little cheering up after yesterday, and since I was stuck at home during that akuma attack and all, I thought it might be nice to arrange a lunch for us.”

“Marinette, you’re so nice!” Rose commented. 

“Yeah, and now we don’t have to worry about getting Lila’s and Mylene’s food,” Alix commented. 

“Thanks girl,” Alya said. “You really know how to cheer us up. 

.

Marinette was about halfway down the steps when she heard the sniffly. 

Marc.

She poked her head under the stairs, and, sure enough, Marc was sitting, looking near tears. 

“What’s wrong?” Marinette asked. 

“Nothing!” Marc replied. “I just-” he sniffled again. “I got some nasty comments online about my writing, and it-”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Marinette said when he trailed off. She sat down next to her. 

“They said what I was writing was wrong, because I had one of the characters go through a fight with his parents or... or something like that, I don’t know, but it was based off of real life, and I-” Marc sniffled. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m projecting onto my characters too much.”

“Well, first of all, I read that chapter and it was amazing,” Marinette replied. “I’ve never had a fight with my parents like that, and yet I could still feel what it must have felt like. I get that such a topic is probably triggering to a lot of people, but you put a content warning and everything!

“And second of all, there is nothing wrong with projecting. I do it all the time in my designing! It’s a lot harder to tell, obviously, but when I’m looking over old designs, I can almost always tell which ones I drew when having a bad day, or when I’m angry. I found one with a lot of spikes and sharp lines and went, ‘yep, I remember what Chloe said to me that day that made me draw this.’”

“So you’re saying it’s natural?”

“Of course. Our emotions and our experiences inform who we are, and what we create. We have to use some control, of course, but I think how you use it is great! Some of my favorite stories have so-called ‘self-inserts’. Besides, you’re not the one going around insulting people online, so you are definitely not in the wrong for this situation.” 

Marc nodded. “Thanks. I feel a little better now.”

.

Wednesday

Mylene smiled at her cast. “Wow, you two are so talented!”

Nathaniel blushed, and Marinette smiled. 

“I feel a lot better about it now,” Mylene said. “You really know how to brighten someone’s day, Marinette!”

.

“It’s so ugly!” Alya complained, spinning in a circle to show off her bridesmaid’s dress to Marinette and Nino, who were sitting on the couch in her living room.

Marinette had been summoned about half an hour ago by Alya’s mom, saying Alya was “near hysterics” and needed someone to calm her down. Preferably, someone’s who fashion sense “she actually trusted”, and couldn’t use the “your my mom you’re supposed to say I look good card” on. She had originally called Nino, but then Alya had played the “your my boyfriend you’re supposed to say I look good” card immediately. 

It made Marinette think being honest was the best way to go. 

“Of course it is!” Marinette replied. “It doesn’t fit. It’s way too big in the chest.”

“But I couldn’t take anything smaller in the hips,” Alya complained. 

“That’s okay,” Marinette said, standing up. “After all, what’s the point in having a designer for a best friend if she can’t fix a dress for you.”

“You’ll fix it for me?” Alya asked. 

“Of course,” Marinette replied. “If you pull it a little tighter hear, maybe pull the neckline up a little-”

“Yes please,” Marlene cut in. 

“And then loosen it around the hips, it will look fabulous on you,” Marinette finished. “I’d have to find a fabric really similar to this, but it shouldn’t be hard.” 

“I’ll pay you back!” Alya said, almost desperately. 

“No you won’t,” Marinette decided. “When is this needed by?” 

“The wedding’s in a month,” Marlene supplied. 

“I should have time to do it by then,” Marinette confirmed. 

Alya spun and enveloped Marinette in a bear hug. “Oh, thank you girl!” 

.

Thursday

Marinette spent lunch break at the Liberty, holed up in the practice room working on sketches for the album cover she had been asked to design. 

After about half an hour, Juleka and Rose peaked in to see how she was doing. Marinette happily showed them what she was working on. 

“This is my favorite,” Marinette said. “Penny sent me the photo from the last performance. The lighting isn’t good, and if we decided to go with it, we’ll probably retake it, but it’s great for inspiration. I think we can work out the colors of the outfits a little better too - Juleka, I have this brilliant purple jacket I think you will love-”

“Thank you Marinette for doing all of this!” Rose said. 

“It’s no big deal,” Marinette replied. “Especially since Penny arranged for me to be officially commissioned and paid like I was when I did Jagged’s album.”

“You’re amazing,” Rose continued. 

“No, you’re amazing,” Marinette countered. “I’m just here to support you guys.” 

“Shut up and take the compliment, Marinette,” Juleka said, just loud enough to be heard. 

“You are wonderful,” Rose said. “And you better believe it, too.”

.

Marinette spotted the girl crying in the locker rooms when she left the bathroom after detransforming. 

“Are you okay?” Marinette asked, sitting down next to the girl. 

The girl nodded. “Yeah, I just - yeah, I’m fine.” 

“You don’t look it,” Marinette replied. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing,” the girl answered. “It’s just - my boyfriend broke up with me, and he did it over text and I - I just -”

“Over text! How rude,” Marinette sympathized. 

The girl chuckled. “Yeah, definitely. I guess I wasn’t worth his time.”

“Sounds like he’s not worth your time,” Marinette replied. 

The girl shook her head. “You don’t know me. Trust me, I was lucky he even paid attention to me in the first place.”

“Well, maybe I want to know you,” Marinette said. “I’m Marinette.”

“Liz.”

“Nice to meet you Liz,” Marinette said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Don’t you have to be in class?” Liz questioned.

“Eh, my attendance record is already bad,” Marinette said. “Nothing I can do to make it worse.”

Liz chuckled. “Alright then. Well, it started last year when-”

.

Friday

“Your dad can’t be serious,” Nino complained. 

“He is,” Adrien replied. “I’m sorry for having to bail - I was really looking forward to tonight.”

“It’s not your fault,” Marinette argued. 

“Yeah, your dad needs to calm down,” Alya added. 

Adrien said goodbye and headed down to his limo. Marinette felt something in the back of her brain, nudging her to do something, but she couldn’t figure out what. 

Adrien was about halfway down to the car when inspiration hit. 

“Wait!” Marinette raced down the stairs and to the car, where Nathalie was waiting for him. “Hi, I’m Marinette.”

“We’ve met,” Nathalie replied.  “Well, as you know, we really wanted Adrien to study with us tonight,” Marinette said. “But the truth is, I was actually wanting his help with something else - you see, I was invited to help design a suit for this big gala happening at the hotel in June-”

“You were invited to design for the Summer Gala?” Nathalie questioned, just as Adrien walked up next to Marinette. 

“Yes,” Marinette confirmed. “And I was hoping Adrien could help me, since he’s been to something similar-”

“Well, tonight he is definitely unavailable,” Nathalie said. She checked her tablet. “But next Tuesday he should be available. I can schedule for him to join your study group for you, and this time we should have more luck keeping his schedule clear.”

“Really?” Adrien asked. “Thanks Nathalie!”

“Of course,” Nathalie replied.

.

Saturday

“Thank you for coming into school on a Saturday,” Bustier said to Marinette and Alya as they arrived. 

“No problem,” Alya replied. “After all, this is a big deal! The school needs a much better kept ramp for students who can’t use the steps, and if this is our chance to make that happen, then I’m all aboard.”

“Me too,” Marinette said. “Alya has my full support.”

“Lately it feels like you’ve been supporting me,” Alya replied. 

“This was your idea,” Marinette said. “And you were the one to get permission to do a fundraiser.”

“Yes, but only because you were willing to organize the bake sale for us!” Alya said. “Not to mention the posters you designed! And the extra help you recruited. With so many students, this is sure to be a success. Especially now that we’ll have reporters coming. The school will be forced to uphold their end of the deal.”

“Both of you have put so much work into this project!” Bustier said. “I”m so proud of you both!”

.

Sunday

“Thanks for coming over on such short notice,” Mylene’s dad said, letting Marinette in. “I don’t know what set her off, but I think it’s a girl thing.”

Marinette nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to calm her down.”

She had visited the Haprele’s apartment enough times to know which room was Mylene’s, and she knocked lightly on the door. 

“Mylene? Can I come in?” 

Mylene muttered something that sounded like a yes, and Marinette slowly entered her room. 

The room was a mess. Mylene was curled up on her bed, sniffled into her knees. She looked up with teary eyes as Marinette entered the room. 

“What’s wrong?” Marinette asked, sitting down on the foot of the bed.

“I misplaced the pin Ivan gave me,” Mylene sniffled.

It seemed so minor, Marinette knew something else was up. When Mylene hesitated for a moment, grimacing with pain, Marinette knew the what. 

“Cramps again?” Marinette questioned. “How about I get you some midol?” 

Mylene shook her head. “Just took some.” 

“Okay then,” Marinette said. She thought for a moment. “I’m going to call my mom and have her bring over some macaroons for us.” 

“Oh, please!” Mylene said. “I’ve been craving chocolate for decades.” 

“I’ll make sure she brings lots of chocolate,” Marinette confirmed. “And then I’ll help you clean up your room.” 

“And help me find the pin?”

“I’ll help you find the pin,” Marinette said. “I”m sure it’s around here somewhere.” 

Monday

“I’m going to put Alya down for Ladybug,” Marinette decided. “I bet she’ll be chosen.” 

“Maybe,” Tikki agreed. 

But probably not. 

[katelides]

Walking on sunshine - Bechloe Mini Fic pt 7

I realize I have not posted in a very very long time... and I am sorry... I am posting 2 chapters for this mini fic today and I am working on the next one as we speak! So I am getting back out there!!

Chapter 7: It must have been love

The girls are all getting dressed with an 80s playlist blaring in the background, getting them all in the mood. Leave it to Maddie to decide that a themed hen night is what she wants. Everyone is dressing up in vintage clothes, and tuning their hair and makeup into the selected time.

They are all having a ton of fun, messing with each other while helping simultaneously. All the girls have their own costume they are picking. Or a certain style. Aubrey and Stacy had decided to take on a prep school look with Sperry Top-Siders, to show off intelligence yet still looking sexy as hell.

Fat Amy, Maddie and Chloe had each decided on a specific outfit that resembles Cindy Lauper in some way.  Maddie even going as far as putting on a blonde wig. This only because when they were younger, they were obsessed with her hit song ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’. A motto at least 2 have lived by since.  Chloe just loved the song but couldn’t decide whether this was something she wanted to be remembered by for the rest of her life, and still isn’t.

Titziana, who is joining the gang, is sporting pooled up cringed hair. Wearing a black dress and a jean jacket on top. Showing off just enough cleavage to attract the other gender for sure. Emily, on the other hand, is wearing high-waisted jeans and a Coca Cola crop top sweater, and having her hair curled perfectly.

The girls all make it to the club around 10 PM and instantly pull each other towards the bar to take some shots. Maddie is the first one to semi reluctantly pour one down while the rest cheers her on. Shortly after the other girls, minus Emily, since she’s pretending to be pregnant for Maddie, and can’t drink.

The DJ watches the girls go loose and spots their outfits and instantly turns up the volume and blasting Fat Amy, Chloe and Maddie’s all-time favourite through the speakers. The girls go wild and head over to the dance floor, to dance until their hearts are beating like crazy. Flirting and just being free from everything. The wedding, lies, and everything that is attached to what has occurred in the past few days.

At the club, Fat Amy and Aubrey had prepared a little surprise for everyone. They had hired some strippers. Both male a female, to spice up the evening. Maddie is really put on the spot but loves every second of it. How could she not? She has two sexy firemen grinding in her lap while three real-life pilots are already being pulled aside by Back at the club, Chloe is watching her sister getting handsy with the strippers, laughing her heart out, trying to remember everything for the following day. But deep inside she knows that she should not be here, not at the club, nor in Puglia and especially not at the wedding tomorrow. She can’t do it to herself, nor to her sister. She can’t keep pretending that everything is fine when it’s not.

Chloe manages to sneak out of the club, to grab some fresh air and think things over. She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she would have made an irrational decision without really thinking about it. She needs to put all her feelings into a neat line. Not just for her own sake.

Meanwhile, Beca, Jesse, Mike and Benji are having a blast, walking around town in their own 80s themed costumes. Beca having chosen a simple outfit, black jeans with a white shirt, topping it off with an army band jacket. Jesse is covering his musical movie tracks and wearing a white shirt with a leather jacket and high jeans with aviator sunglasses. Mikey is keeping it cool with his hair smoothly gelled backwards and a white button-up shirt. Benji is casually wearing a coloured polo shirt tucked into his jeans.

The four of them are cruising around town, from bar to bar. Enjoying Beca’s last night as a free woman together. Eventually, they stumble into a strip club, well slightly pulling Beca towards one, not giving her a chance to change her mind or even protest.

Beca is pushed into a chair, handed over another drink and gets a brunette shoved into her lap. If it wasn’t for her wedding the following day and her still raging feelings for her fiancee’s sister. She would be at least enjoying it. Right now though, she can’t seem to let go and just sits there with a forced smile, waiting for everything to be over. The night, and especially the wedding.

She quickly excuses herself from her chair and tells her brother that she needs some air after all the alcohol she has consumed. She heads out and sits down at the edge of a fountain, just taking her time to think. Her mind keeps playing back the memories of 3 years ago, and the memories of earlier that day. Could Chloes really not feel anything for her? Did she ever, really?

Beca has been sitting outside for about 30 minutes when Jesse stumbles towards her in a slightly inebriated state. Knowing that his little sister needs some guidance or at least support. He remembers how heartbroken she was when Chloe left and how Beca had not dated for over a year after that. He was there, every night when she cried, or more to say she pretended not to cry but he knew better.

“Hey, you all right?” Jesse asks, his voice filled with concern, and slightly slurred speech.

Beca rolls her eyes and watches her brother sit down. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She says once she knows the almost drunken mess next to her is ok. The brunette looks away, her mind yet again consumed by a bright flash of red.

“What’s up Becs?” Jesse asks. Not actually receiving more than a hum from his little sister as an answer.

It takes Beca a second to really clear her thoughts before she speaks up. “Just can’t wait for the wedding to be over.” She says with a sigh. “Just wanna be married already.” That was no lie. Once the wedding is over, she can be happy with Maddie. Maybe even manage to not see Chloe ever again.

Jesse grunts at his sisters' words. “You got a whole lifetime of that, sorellina (little sister).

Rolling her eyes, Beca mumbles a quick. “I know.”

“Enjoy your last night of liberty.” Jesse gently punches Beca on her should and tries to urge her to get up. “Come on!” Falling into an uncomfortable silence, seeing his sister really grind her thoughts together about the only person she has really loved, he takes a deep breath and frowns at the following words he says. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“About what?” Beca asks, not really feeling in the mood. Nor wanting to make her brother uncomfortable.

“Look,” Jesse starts, not wanting to give up just yet. “is this about Chloe?” He asks, even though he clearly knows the answer to that question. “I’ve got to ask…” He adds when Beca looks away with an eye roll. “… have you still got feelings for her?”

Beca scoffs at the insinuation. “No, that would be really stupid. No.” She says defensively.

Clearing his throat, Jesse asks: “Are you sure?” Needing to know. He doesn’t want to see Beca, nor Maddie, hell not even Chloe hurt by this entire ordeal. When Beca doesn’t immediately say anything, Jesse just stares at her until she looks back at him.

Finally, Beca manages to breathe out a gentle “Yeah.”

“Allora…” (So…), Jesse draws out, falling into a giggle when he sees Beca’s smile coming back slowly. “Can we duct-tape you to a pole now, please?”

Beca mentally facepalms herself when she remembers her predicament. Yet it was a tradition in the family. Whoever gets married, will get duct-taped or bound to a pole. She rolls her eyes and whispers “In a minute.” Jesse takes this as a win and heads back inside to get Benji and Mike.

A few blocks away, Chloe walks out of the club into the night. Her mind filled with all and nothing at the same time. Yet one thing, one name keeps bouncing around without ever leaving Beca.

The redhead walks further away from the entrance and hides behind a corner. Tears are threatening to spill from her eyes. She starts to remember all the moments between her and Beca, how they talked even without speaking. “Lay a whisper, on my pillow. Leave the winter, on the ground.” The words all pour out of her in a rush. Remembering how she felt when Beca wasn’t there. “I wake up lonely, the stare of silence, in the bedroom, all around.”

A bad habit she had picked up over the years, yet one that could always soothe her nerves. Talking to herself when she’s alone. Pretending to be speaking to the brunette that holds her heart. “Touch me now, I close my eyes. And dream away.”

She pushes herself off the wall and starts walking to who knows where not caring about anything at that moment. “It must have been love,” Chloe quietly admits to herself, not ever having voiced the thought after having left Puglia 3 years ago. They had told each other as much, but they were young. They didn’t know what the word meant at the time. “But it’s over now.” She says almost melancholically.

“It must have been good, but I lost it somehow.” Think about the words she’s saying, the redhead becomes more confident and starts to really understand her feelings. “It must have been love, but it’s over now. From the moment we touched, till the time it ran out.”

On the other side of the small town square, Beca is still sitting at the edge of the fountain. Her mind running a million miles an hour. Trying to sort out what she and Chloe are, or better were. “Make-believing, we’re together. That I’m sheltered by your heart.” The brunette feels cheated. Hardly processing the fact that Chloe never loved her. “But in and outside I turned to water, like a teardrop in your palm.”

The brunette’s heart feels heavy. She hasn’t wrapped her head around meeting Maddie. Proposing to her so soon after they met, even though it did feel right at the time. Losing the love of her life… NO, she has met the love of her life. Maddie is supposed to be the love of her life. “And it’s a hard winter’s day, I dream away.” Shaking her head, Beca gets up and decides to walk around for a bit. Feeling a need to stretch her legs.

Chloe sighs heavily and looks up to the moon as she walks towards the fountain where Beca had been just moments ago. “It must have been love, but it’s over now. It was all that I wanted, now I’m living without.”

Beca doesn’t notice the equally distraught Chloe as she walks away in the exposit direction. “It must have been love, but it’ over now. It’s where the water flows. It’s where the wind blows…” She doesn’t get too far, as Mike grabs her and throws her over his shoulder. Laughing the night away together with Benji and Jesse.

Chloe hears the laughter and sees the four. She quickly hides behind a wall and peeks to see what’s going on. They don’t seem to notice her, being too drunk and busy, trying to keep Beca on Mikey’s shoulder.

Having just seen the brunette, even from a distance. Chloe knows what she has to do, there is no way she could stay here. She had to go, as far away as possible. No time for goodbyes. No time for explanation, I’m sorry’s’ or feelings. With a steady pace Chloe walks further away from the party, from her sister and Beca Mitchel.

She makes it home around 30 minutes later after hailing a cab. She rushed to her room and quickly packs her suitcase. The only thing she leaves out is her bride’s maid dress. She leaves it on the bed, needing to really let go of her past that will become the future in a few hours time.

While packing her bag with her favourite book she brought over to read in her spare time, she finds an old picture of her and Beca being as happy as they ever had seemed to be. Sighing heavily, she shoves the picture together with the book in her bag and heads out to where the cab is still waiting for her, to take her to the airport.

In the car, she can’t help but look back at the picture that once used to bring her joy. She ponders about how she could talk to her sister about this later on. If her sister would ever talk to her again that is.

Finally deciding it’s time to fully let go, Chloe lets the old picture fly out of the moving cab as she sheds a single tear. Goodbye Beca. Goodby Puglia. Good luck Maddie.

[currentfandomkick]

Bio! dad Strange part 14, Evillustrator Part 2 and Magic Consequences Start

Recap: Girls are trying to get Marinette and Nathaniel together. Kim, Alix and  Max now have their cannon miraculous and have some training with Marinette as they know she’s ladybug. Evillustrator is happening now. Chat is talking to Marinette because she (accidentally?) admitted to being meta.

“Why haven’t you…”

“My family is here Chat, if I left I’d be missing and invesigated. They’d connect the dots and they’d pay for harbouring a meta.”

Chat ran a hand through his hair. “I, I didn’t know they do that. I thought it was just send to another country—and most like having metas around.”

Marinette shook her head. “As weapons. As long as i’m unregistered, i’m safe.”

Chat didn't like it. He didst hide it either.

“I’ll be fine… just need to make it eight more years. Legally an adult, then move in with Father.”

“That’s… not okay.”

Marinette gave him a sad smile. “I can’t leave Maman. Or my family and friends here.”

Chat seemed to get that. “I, its not fun.”

Marinette watched her partner, even with her head swimming still. He was curled in on himself, not making eye contact by looking at the floor. Guilt, possible remorse, and was emotionally connected to the idea of leaving people. Someone left him or he left a lot of people. willingness in either case uncertain... maybe both with one causing the other?

Chat kept his eyes low. Marinette made notes that she knows this, not as Ladybug but as a civilian.

“So, I’m going on my date.”

“With an akuma.”

“He’s not violent, he promised not to hurt anyone.”

“Which makes him easier to take down. When’s your date?”

“None of you business.”

“Marinette...”

“Chat, trust me, I think he’ll give up the akuma on his own. I don’t need you to save me, and i trust him.”

Chat hid his wince poorly.

“Just, don’t tell anyone about the...”

“Sun healing?”

“....that.”

“Is that you’re only power or...”

“Its rude to ask.”

“oops?”

“Do you ever talk to people?”

“Father isn’t a fan of it.”

“... don’t tell my parents that. they are serial adopters and i’m not having a superhero at dinner.”

“I, superhero?”

“Powers, and hero. What else would i call you?”

Chat didn’t answer that. He did leave her house though, so she’d take the win there.

She started another groupchat without Chloe or Alix or Sabrina or Lila.

Marinette: So dress or pants for outfit? Boatride.

Juleka: If you go dress, leggings. trust me, i live on one.

Rose: Oh, don’t you have a Zatanna outfit?

Marinette hummed, leaving her house to go to her old hobby room. She kept that one there.

Mylene: did you tell thim thank you?

Marinette: He was nice but it didn’t come up, sorry!

Alya: if he’s rude let me know, i will drag him on the Ladyblog, no questions asked.

Marinette smiled at that on her balcony, getting in her sunshine while she could. The girls in her class were a good distraction from her meta problems. and the lack of Gotham contact. She needed to know if any of her messages got through, but needed an excuse to leave Paris to try again. Father was her best bet, he’d play telephone until someone got it to Tim or the Justice League. But for now, for now she was just excited for her first date.

She slipped into Nonno’s bakery with her key, and waved at him as he worked.

A few minutes later she took a picture of herself in a pair of dark skinny jeans, a faux-corset dress shirt with a black three quarter blazer with elbow length sleeves.

Juleka: fishnet gloves or lace gloves to go with?

Alya: ooo, that’s cute. Hair down, and i vote fishnet

Rose: lace! floral lace would be so pretty~

Mylene: lace if you have it

Marinette grabbed elbow length fingerless black floral lace gloves and sent a picture

Alya: You look great girl!

the text after that were mostly about shoes (they agreed on no flats or heels on the boat. The jury agreed on a cute pair of boots at her house.

Nonno was done when she left her room to grab the chosen shoes with her outfit.

“I told them to stop letting you help out at events.”

“Its a date Nonno.”

Rolland paused, processed, then ordered the mice to hold down the fort before turning to her again

this was going to be interesting...

Rolland sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Marinetta, I am meeting the boy. If he no good, we leave. If he is, I leave you two in public place to make goo-goo eyes, is how it was done in the old days and will go with every boy that tries to take you away from me.”

Marinette rolled her eyes at that. “Nonno, that’s Papa’s job.”

“Peh. Your Papa would coo over the whole thing and forget his job is to put the fear of God into the boy.”

Marinette rubbed the back of her neck. Rolland wasn’t wrong after all… “You can say hi, but he’s akumatized right now—he won’t hurt me, just, he’s not a hundred percent there.”

“I meet boy.”

“Yes.”

“Boy brainwashed and still does what you ask?”

“Yes Nonno.”

“If he’s polite he has my blessing. But remember, one foot out of line…”

“And treat him like an amatauer with bread dough—“

“Break in half and smashed in the center!” Rolland and Marinette said together.

“Good, good. Now, is that what you are wearing to your date?”

“After I get my shoes. and no scaring him off!”

Rolland rolled his eyes, and followed her to her room, helping her out with if she needed any make-up (no, maybe chapstick but nothing else) fixing her hair and listening to her gush about Nathaniel.

“He better be good boy.”

“he’s akumatized but he promised not to hurt anyone after i asked. and no reports of any akuma activity on the app.”

Nonno was the one to escort her to the meeting place. And if she sensed a certain cat and whispered he wanted to datecrash and Nonno went off after him... well. She wants a break from heroing and meta problems, and her date is part of that.

Evillustrator was holding his hand, trembling when they came.

“Na—Evillustrator?”

“Marinette!”

“Ah, you’re the boy that wants to date my Marinetta?” Rolland said, circling the villain.

Evillustrator stood straight, “I, yes, if, if she’ll have me that is.”

Rolland gave the boy a once over. “Hurt her, and amateur breadmakers will seem merciful.”

Evillustrator nodded, looking over to Marinette when Rolland turned around. And blushing. Oh, she was very glad it wasn’t one sided.

“I’m glad you could make it Marinette.”

“Me too, and Nonno, you were just leaving, right?”

“Yes, yes. He knows what happens, and my Marinetta knows what to do if he forgets.”

Marinette rolled her eyes. “Nonno!”

“Pheh, kids these days, always rushing off. Remember—hands to yourselves!”

“NONNO!” Marinette really hoped the others weren’t watching this.

The man waved her off, leaving the pair to their date. “Call after date, or tell your Papa. He’ll call.”

Marinette shook her head. “Sorry about that.”

“No, its fine. I’m just really happy you’re here.”

Marinette smiled at him, almost missing the way a Certain Chat was hanging around the trees.

“It’s really beautiful.”

“Thank you, but I’m just getting started,” Evillustrator smiled, or smirked. She couldn’t tell. “Ah, you gotta be kidding me!”

“Huh?”

“I can’t draw properly in the dark.”

One weakness located. Good to know if he changes.

“Voila!” and he made a small sun. oh, this was so not going to be good for her treatment schedule.

Marinette watched as he let his world enter the real one, music flowing from his pen as he wrote. “You’re so talented, I just don’t get why you’d ever use it to hurt people.��

“Just Chloe, and not anymore. You stayed true to your promise, so I’ll stay true to mine.”

Did she mention she liked him for two years? No?

And Chat was there, on the rooftops now… and there were others following. Why were her friends incapable of being subtle?

“I know I’m not as good as you with just drawing,” Marientte began.

“I’ve seen your work Marinette, you’re a wonderful artist.”

“Is it okay if I draw something for you too?”

“Of course!”

She watched him quickly make a sketchpad and pens. Not what she was going for but she’d work with it. He knew she preferred traditional… why did he have to get akumatized for them to go on a date? Why couldn’t she just get the words out before?

There were thumps on the boat then. Why was Chat like this—they’d gone over stealth that week, or was that with the other three? Either way, she would so call Aunt Selina for help with stubborn cats and boys when she got out of Paris. ON top of the Leauge or some kind of general hero aid, but still. Principle.

A staff separated them. Chat’s.

Marinette jumped back because she trusted her partner but yikes!

“Marinette, you’re working with him!” Oh, her partner did not like civilian her. Good thing secret identities were harder for strangers to crack.

“Nathaniel,” Marinette let her voice shake.

“Stay away from her!”

Suddenly there was a shield over her. Was it bad a part of her really, really liked the idea of him working with her and Chat? And not just the crushing part? Probably. But a girl can daydream. Plus, his powers are very useful.

“Don’t worry pinkie, I got’cha!” Monkey King said as he flung her over his shoulder and jumped onto the bridge.

“MARINETTE!” Evillustrator cried out, trying to get to her

“Who are you!” Chat shot back, blocking Evillustrator.

“Friends of Ladybug, Kitty,” Bunnix yelled as she jumped onto the boat.

Evillustrator managed to get up to the bridge, letting the others argue over who was saving Marinette and seeming to forget about the akuma in the process. He quietly followed the monkey user, waiting until he put Marinette down.

“You’ll be safe here Marinette!” Kim said, running back to the others. “I’ll be back when the akuma is caught. Might wanna work on your luck.” She hated him right then and there. A lot.

“I, don’t hurt him. He’s not a bad person, or even violent.”

Kim’s face changed then. “He targeted Chloe!”

“And he stopped when I asked, and he only targeted her because she was being horrible!”

“How is looking out for you--you know what, we’ll talk later about your poor life choices, and taste in boyfriends!” he yelled as he ran off.

“I--we’re not---not yet but---urgh!”

Evillustrator made himself known then. “Marinette, you’re okay?”

Marinette almost jumped. Almost. “I, I think so,” she rubbed her arms. It was getting cold out.

“I, sorry for how our date ended back there.”

“It was a pretty bad date crashing,” Marinette murmured, not seeing how Evilustrators face went a bit red at her comment. “But it wasn’t your fault. Do you mind if we just, draw somewhere fro a bit?”

She needed him alone for this to work.

He grinned back at her. “Art room?”

“Art room.”

“Hold on, I’ll fly us there.”

She did as asked, looping her arms around his neck and maybe, just maybe, there’s more than a little part of her that liked being able to lean on someone else in situations like this. Where she wasn’t in charge or making every decision for everyone.

He jetted them to the school, and she was certain he tripped an alarm on the way.

She moved to her ‘blurp’ sketchpad, tweaking a few designs inspired by some of Rose’s ‘special’ plants. She waited until Evillustrator put his pen down. she nabbed the jar from Rose’s current project, lid and all, stomped on his pen and jarred the akuma.

“Marinette?” Nathaniel was there. God she missed seeing him. “Wh, what happened?”

“I, you were akumatized. Chat and three new heroes got me away from you but you found me again. You didn’t hurt me or anything, it was more or a date-crashing is all...”

“Oh my god I am so sorry Marinette.”

Marinette’s mind spiraled into the worst case. He regrets this. he regrets talking to me. Oh god, he hates me for taking advantage of his trust as an akuma. I crushed my crush crushing on me. he hates me now. “I, its fine, you probably didn’t even want to, I, sorry, I should have said no.”

“Wait, we were on a date?” It was obvious, she was dressed up, and they were alone and okay, they broke into the school but there’s worse crimes and its pseudo-public property as they both help pay for it to run and she’s rambling again. Face the music Marinette.

“Yes.”

“And you, you wanted to be there?”

“Wi, with you Nathaniel, not uh, not Evillustrator.” God he must hate her. was it cheating to go on a date with someone’s akumatized self? What were the walls here—too many doors and she didn’t see anything resembling rules around this.

“This is horrible timing, but make-up date Saturday?”

“I,” Marinette was tongue-tied. Tikki hit her into awareness from her purse. Shit, she forgot Tikki was there.

“Are you sure?”

“If you are.” She was VERY sure she wanted to go on a real date with Nathaniel. Without her partner and friends stalking them. And Nonno’s circling.

“Then, uh, yes. Yes, I, I’d love y-to. I’d love to!”

If anyone besides the poor butterfly could see them, they would see two very blushy and embarrassed middle schoolers having a hard time making eye contact while grinning like idiots.

“We, uh, we should let Chat know we have the akuma,” Marinette mumbled, glancing at it. She was only 60% certain it wouldn’t phase through like a kwami.

“Right! I’ll post it on the ladyblog.”

“i’ll text the akuma alert.”

“Is Ladybug okay—wait did I kill ladybug!” Nathaniel was panicking. About killing her alter ego. Oh god she was in deep because that was adorable and no! bad brain! Comfort him—don’t fawn over when panicking!

“NO! She, she’s fine! She wasn’t at the battle.”

“OH THANK GOD!”

The pair waited for an angry Chat Noir, ready to lecture them both, only to see blushy Marinette holding Nathaniel’s hand with a jarred akuma in front of them.

“You got his object.” He was stunned by this. well, she did tell him she could.

“Holy—I told you she could do it!” Monkey King was grinning.

“Just because she can, doesn’t mean she should Monkey King,” Max snapped, glaring at him like it was all Kim’s fault Marinette went missing for a few hours… granted he contributed to that.

“So, civvies can kick akuma butt now, good to know, good to know,” Bunnix added, grinning a little too wide. She knew something.

“I, uh, sorry for any harm I did when I was, well, akumatized.”

Monkey King opened his mouth,ready to tell him off.

Only Chat beat him to it, kind of. “Yeah, I heard from Chloe about what happened. Outing a crush, and saying you can’t be together over a private drawing, in public... that’s pretty understandable. Honestly, I’m just glad you didn’t go Stoneheart’s route.” Chat looked between the two at their joined hands. he twitched--why?  “Oh—oh! Definitely took the direct route. Good for you two!” strained voice too, what was bothering him about this?

Monkey King then saw the pair holding hands. And blushing and—what did that cretin do to his little sister!

Pegasus looked over and sighed. He knew this would happen. Markov predicted it.

Bunnix was grinning like a loon.

“I’ll take the akuma until my Lady can purify it. My teammates will go home for now and work on teamwork for next time, right?”

“I only have to answer to the Gaurdian.”

“Eh.”

“We have class tomorrow,” Pegasus pointed out.

Marinette nodded along, quick to leave with Nathaniel, her parents fussing over her first REAL date that Saturday---the girls all agreed to assemble to help with outfit and makeup and coaching, and cooed over the end result. except Chloe who was insistent that Marinette could do much better.

She managed to escape only to see an annoyed Chat not far from her balcony. One escape later and she met him on the rooftops.

“Doing better M’lady?”

“A little... Lucky charm!” a jar. “Miraculous Ladybug!” she blanked again. she hated that. when she came to she swayed a bit.

Chat caught her. “M’lady?”

her head was swimming. “I think we need to change our battle plan... using Tikki makes me sick.”

Chat paled at that. “I’ll get the message out tonight, just, hold on, okay?

--

Chat did get the message out. The Justice League did recieve the transmission, but the video file was corrupted. it was the fifth corrupted file they’d received from France.

Hal was getting tired of seeing them, grumbling about it being a prank and it wasn’t funny that someone was pranking the League and taking away from valuable resources and people who need them.

--

Chat met with the Guardian and told him what was happening to Ladybug.

The Gaurdian rubbed his temples. “We need to use her less often. Perhaps have Pegasus and her work from a remote location until we need her to purify the akuma and undo the damage... I believe it is time you begin to work with another miraculous--I chose you as a weak cat so that Paris could not be destroyed with a misplaced Cataclysm. It seems we need more than what i thought... This is the snake miraculous. He has the power to let you change an outcome. i do not know how many minutes you will have with your second chance.”

Chat took the offered box and let the second Kwami, Sass, speak.

“Greetings. I am Sass.”

“Adrien, also Chat Noir.”

“Are we combining or switching?”

Fu looked thoughtful for a moment. “For now, switching. We will work on fusing another day. I believe there’s someone you already trust to share the Black Cat with.”

Adrien sighed, knowning exactly who he meant.

--

END!

so i’m putting this one to a quick vote as to who Adiren shares Plagg with.

Chloe or Felix?

Chloe is fun for theme and working on her (self) destructive tendencies from cannon as general ml writer salt. She would be Duchess (i just like that for her and the general Cat!chloe fanworks) and would have some trouble controlling her Cataclysm, and only be called in for more dangerous akuma as Duchess. she would not know Adrien is Chat. She is still a ladybug fangirl, and yes, she is also Queen Bee when she isn’t able to be Duchess for ReasonsTM  (as all miraculous are swapped like candy in my AU because of fights needing different powers, strategies, and for some people (Marinette) are safer with different miraculous, while others are just good one)

Felix would run around as Chat Noir as a body double, work on mending his and Adiren’s relationship and issues, be aware Adrien is Chat, and calls Gabriel out at home when he’s being a paranoid dad. For the Marinette side, they are gremlin freinds, co-founders of the Adrein protection squad, and sometimes discuss reverse-theiving techniques. potential as one of her love interests or vice versa, but eh? also Adiren blowing off steam by being Felix fro a day while Felix does recon on Adrien’s freinds as Adrein to make sure his cousin isn’t falling for fake friends.

Yes, I am doing mass character overhauls in terms of character arcs, but my fic, screw cannon.

Please comment to vote, since i am hardcore 50/50 here, and need help on this one.

i will eventually post this on the a03, its the only mlb fic under crazyjc

@mosseaters @chaosace​ @daminett4life​ @emeraldpuffguide​ @ilovefluffbutsmutisalsogreat​ @mystery-5-5​ @weird-pale-blonde-person​ @dast218​

[bubbleblower]

Minor Details Ch 10/?

AN: Thank you guys for your patience with me on this one. I think I've resolved how this is going to play out with the new information i gathered after watching what Netflix has of season 3. I hope you're still here and i hope you still like it.

Ao3 Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7 Ch8 Ch9

"Hello Princess Envy. I'm Hawkmoth." A low, compelling voice spoke to Chloe Bourgeois, her vision tinted pink by the luminous butterfly apparation. "It seems your classmate gets everything you want, artistic talent, loving parents, and now the affections of the boy you love. It's just not fair is it?"

"No... It's not." Chloe growled back, fighting the response.

"Well fear not my dear, for I will give you the ability to take what you want, in return you'll get me what I want as well, Ladybug and Chat Noir's miraculous." Chloe visibly struggled a moment more, gritting her teeth against the words that wanted to leave her lips. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and her expression relaxed into one of subservience.

"Of course, Hawkmoth, I won't fail you." In a flash Chloe was engulfed by the eerie purple light.

-

"Dammit Plagg!" Adrien whispered furiously from his hiding place in the bushes. He had separated from Marinette as they ran, doubling back to where the kwami had left him, not wanting to be in a different spot and waste time before he could transform.

He watched as the purple light receded from Chloe, revealing her Akumatized form. Her skin was a pale green contrasting with her dark green hair, now worn in pigtails reminiscent of Marinette's. Her suglasses were a dark purple from the Akuma inside them and had grown to completely cover her eyes. Her outfit had been replaced with a sweeping high-low gown of black and green, a silver tiara sat atop her head.

Adrien stepped back involuntarily, and the bushes rustled. Chloe's head snapped toward the movement a smile breaking out over her face that sent a chill down Adrien's spine.

"Oh, Adrikins.. you will be mine!" She leapt over the bushes, landing directly in front of him, and reached up to pull her glasses down. Her eyes were green swirls and the pattern rotated slowly ovee her iris. As she made eye contact with him, Adrien felt his thoughts go foggy. He lost his balance slightly, but then the fog cleared, and he looked up certain of only one thing: he was in love with Chloe.

Plagg zipped around the corner just as Adrien dropped to one knee, kissing the back of her hand.

"Oh no, not again!" The kwami whined, hiding behind some leaves.

Chloe smiled, looping her arm through Adrien's and walking haughtily into the school.

-

Ladybug ran through the school, attempting to get back to Adrien as fast as she could. Unfortunately the akuma had apparently been spotted already so the halls were a mess of students filing out for safety and the congestion was definitely hindering her progress.

"Out of the way please!" She hollered jumping over some of the younger students. "Please move aside! Can anyone tell me where the akuma was last spotted!"

"Ladybug!" A chorus of voices called as she slid into the open air commons. She paused looking over at her classmates, many of whom she had called on to bear miraculous of their own, all huddled together looking at her hopefully.

"Do you need any help?"

"What can we do?"

"Who has been Akumatized?"

The questions came rapid fire, and Marinette's heart clenched in joy at how willing her friends were to jump into the fray.

"I don't know yet if Chat and I will need help, but stay safe but nearby just in case and I'll find you. Chloe Bourgeois was akumatized. I don't yet know what her new form is. But thank you, all of you." She swung out her yoyo to escape, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"Ladybug, I'm sorry but that's not possible." It was Sabrina, looking at her in concerned confusion. "Chloe can't be Akumatized." Ladybug recalled her yoyo.

"What do you mean? I saw it happen as I swung by on patrol." Sabrina shook her head.

"You must be mistaken. I've seen Chloe shake off an akuma. The day I got turned into Miraculer. Hawkmoth had targeted Chloe first when she was upset at not being chosen to help you take down the sentimonster, but she wanted so badly to be Queen Bee that she forced him out. " Ladybug gaped at Sabrina's earnest expression.

"Nobody has managed that, not even Mlle. Bustier could do it." She said, warily.

"I swear to you she did. I'm not exaggerating for her benifit, I promise. If she really has been Akumatized then something is wrong." Sabrina's sincerity brooked no room for skepticism. A little abashed, Ladybug nodded processing this development.

"Thank you for telling me. I'll get to the bottom of it." She spun her yoyo out again, launching herself onto the top of the school. Once there she could hear screaming and akuma-enhanced evil laughter from the far side of the building, but she hesitated to go that direction.

"Chloe shrugged off an akuma?" Marinette found herself pacing a bit as she muttered to herself. "If that's true... and Sabrina seems to believe it... then what's different this time?Could it be because she isn't Queen Bee anymore? I mean I guess this is the first time she's been Akumatized since heroes day, which doesn't count since those feelings were manufactured by dark cupid. Come to think of it she's the only weilder from the original team that hasn't been genuinely akumatized since becoming a hero other than Chat and I." She looked again towards the screaming, a guilty frown on her face. It was a risk, but she nodded to herself and swung off away from the scuffle out over Paris towards Master Fu's house.

-

"Marinette. What brings you here today?" Master Fu greeted, stepping out from the back of his shop to meet her.

"I need the bee miraculous." She replied, a determined look on her face. His eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I made a mistake in taking it away from her." Fu continued to look skeptical, but opened the miracle box for her. She grabbed the bee, and met his gaze. "I would like to trial run allowing her to keep it. If something goes wrong I will be responsible personally for retrieving it."

If possible, Fu's eyebrows rose further on his forehead, but he nodded. His expression clearly skeptical but trusting. Marinette bowed to him and ran from the room, transforming quickly and racing back across the city.

-

"Marineeeeeette... Come out, come out wherever you aaaaare. You have something I want." Princess Envy stalked the street outside the school. Adrien walked in step with her, their arms entwined, an adoring expression on his face. Ladybug touched down behind her, the thump drawing the akuma's attention.

"Queen Bee! What happened to you?" Chloe shuddered visibly at the address.

"Nnnnggh. Queen Bee isn't here anymore. It's Princess Envy now." The words seemed to tear themselves from Chloe, her struggle to not say them evident from a distance.

"Queens outrank princesses..." Adrien said dreamily from her arm, his expression flickering slightly with Chloe's hesitation. Chloe glanced at him before returning her gaze to Ladybug. More tears spilled down from beneath her glasses, she was shaking.

"You said I couldn't be Queen Bee anymore."

"I'm sorry. I thought I was protecting you by taking it away. I thought having your identity compromised would make you more of a target for Hawkmoth. I was wrong." Ladybug frowned softly, holding out the Bee miraculous. The akuma stepped forward greedily, but Ladybug closed her hand. "Chloe Bourgeois is Queen Bee, not Princess Envy."

Chloe shook harder, tears freely streaming down her face now as a purple butterfly symbol appeared in front of her. Marinette could practically hear Hawkmoth angrily ordering Chloe to fight her.

"No!" Chloe yelled, grabbing the sides of her own face. "I'll never give you the Bee miraculous! It's MINE!"

In a movement so quick that Ladybug almost missed it, Chloe tore the sunglasses from her face, throwing them to the ground where they broke. "Ladybug! Catch it!" Chloe yelled again, her eyes screwed shut tight as she collapsed to the ground to prevent herself from following Hawkmoth's demands.

Marinette shook off her shock and captured the butterfly beating a hasty retreat. One miraculous ladybug charm later and Adrien snapped out of it, staring at the reverted Chloe in shock, concern and no small amount of respect.

"Chlo, are you okay?" He asked, kneeling next to her and wrapping an arm around her.

"Oh, Adrikins, I'm so sorry." She sobbed, turning into his embrace. After a moment she looked up at Ladybug. "I tried to fight it. I didn't want to listen to him."

"I know. It's okay Queen Bee. I'm the one who should be sorry." Marinette crouched down, once again holding out the Bee miraculous.

"Chloe Bourgeois, this is the miraculous of the Bee. It grants you the power of subjection. You will use it for the greater good." Chloe looked at it in confusion.

"But, the akuma is gone." Ladybug smiled softly.

"I want you to keep it." Adrien and Chloe's eyes widened in identical expressions of surprise. "With your identity compromised you need Pollen's protection more, not less. I'm sorry it took you being made vulnerable to Hawkmoth's machinations for me to see that."

Chloe hiccuped softly, gingerly picking up the miraculous and cradling it gently against her chest. A small flash of light and Pollen appeared.

"My Queen!" She cried flying over to nuzzle Chloe's cheek. Chloe chuckled wetly, cuddling the kwami.

"I'm trusting you, Chloe. Hawkmoth may try to take it from you now that you have it full time. It's dangerous. "Ladybug said quietly, her serious tone cutting through the reunion.

"I understand." Chloe replied, meeting her gaze evenly. "I won't let you down."

"Good." Marinette smiled, her earrings gave a warning beep, and she launched herself into the air. Leaving the pair of stunned blondes behind.

-

Marinette touched down behind the bushes of the school, unknowingly right next to where Plagg was still hiding.

"Spots off Tikki." She smiled nervously at the little red bug as she materialized. Tikki met her gaze with a smile of her own.

"Don't worry, Marinette, you did the right thing. What Chloe did today was impressive, and definitely worthy of a miraculous." Marinette sighed in relief.

"I've been messing up so frequently lately, I was worried this might be the wrong decision too." She said, choking up a little. Tikki frowned in concern.

"Oh, Marinette. I'm sorry. I haven't meant to be so hard on you lately. I've just been worried is all." Marinette sniffled a little.

"It's okay, Tikki. It's been a rough week." The kwami flew up to hug her. "And I didn't see Chat once this fight. I hope nothing's wrong."

"Ah, that's my fault actually." A voice said from the bushes making Marinette jump. Plagg flew out from behind a leaf. "He's fine, I just couldn't get back to him in time before you had fixed everything."

"Oh, that makes sense. Why were you all the way over here with Tikki though? Does Chat know where you are?" Plagg's ears drooped a little and he looked to Tikki for help

"Plagg came to ask if I would come with him tonight to see Master Fu. We both have things we need to talk about with him, and we thought we might go together. It actually works out well that Chloe has a miraculous now that way you can get ready for your date instead of coming with me and Paris won't be unprotected in case something happens while we're separated." Marinette looked taken aback for a minute.

"Is there something wrong? Something I cant know about?" The kwamis looked at each other.

"I promise we won't keep you out of the loop for long." Tikki said reassuringly. "We just need to talk to Master Fu about it first." Marinette nodded, still looking concerned.

"I should probably be getting back before my kid freaks out." Plagg said, starting to float away.

"Oh, Plagg, wait!" Marinette reached into her bag. "Here! I started carryjng these after Style Queen" she held out a kwami-sized pastry. "A camembert cheese danish, I cooked up the recipe especially for you." Plaggs eyes widened and his lower lip wobbled a little.

"For me?" He grabbed the pastry, looking at it like it was the most precious thing in the world. "Thank you, Ladybug." Marinette grinned as the cat shoved the whole thing in his mouth, groaning gratefully. Tikki giggled.

Just then a figure burst around the corner, causjng both kwamis to dodge into the bushes. Adrien's eyes followed the movement as he skidded to a stop. He raised an eyebrow at Marinette.

"Was that-?" He began, but Marinette stopped him with a finger held up to his mouth.

"Nuh huh. You may have figured me out, Adrien Agreste, but you don't get to know everything. It's not safe." Adrien smiled against her finger, the sensation drawing her attention to the fact that she was touching his mouth. She jumped and pulled her hand back as though it had been scalded, glaring at her traitorous fingers. Adrien raised his hands innocently.

"Alright, alright. I get it. Fair enough." He grinned again. "That was really cool what you did for Chloe back there. I know it can't have been an easy decision with your history with her." Marinette frowned.

"I think she's certainly earned it. I've never seen someone fight the akumatization so hard before." Adrien nodded.

"How do you think Chat Noir is gonna handle the permanent addition?" Marinette blew her breath out through her lips in an exasperated raspberry.

"I'm sure we'll work it out. Honestly he gets along with her better than the rest of us do. I'd almost think he knew her outside the mask." Adrien's face went a little blank at this. They sat in silence for a beat or two more when the school bell went off again startling them into action.

"Shoot, I almost completely forgot about class." Marinette exclaimed smacking herself in the forehead. Adrien chuckled, holding his hand out in an aggrandizing manner.

"After you buggaboo." Marinette rolled her eyes and lead the way into the school, completely missing the way Adrien hung back to open his shirt and let Plagg hide.

[munofsilver]

Hidden Secret.

Most recent fanfic. Not going to post all just the first one. It’s a ChloNath fanfic. Still ongoing still working on it. It has six chapters. Ao3 link. Now I’m done posting fanfics. Feel free to comment on them and tel me what you think. 

Summary: Nathaniel Kurtzberg is a normal guy until she showed up. A shy nervous girl that reminds him of him when he was younger. At first, she showed up in his Art class he teaches. Soon he starts to see her everywhere. Little does he know that's it's really Chloe Bourgeois hiding. She's not the only one hiding something.

It's been five years since Nathaniel graduated from University. Two years since he opened his art studio and started teaching classes on the side. Four years since he opened his tattoo parlor. One minute since she came in. Chloe Bourgeois comes walking in. Seeing her brings back all the memories of them back in college. How he didn't like her. Nathaniel wouldn't say he hated her but that's not far off. She comes in in the morning his first customer of the day. She walks in like she owns the place just like in college.

A customer is a customer even if it's Chloe, and money is money even from Chloe. “Welcome,” Nathaniel smiles. “Hello,” she replied dryly. “I would like a tattoo on my.........I know you don't I?” Chloe studies Nathaniel for a moment. Nathaniel just stands there.

 Besides his hair being longer (It's past his shoulders.), his piercing (Two in each ear.), and tattoos on his arms (A white artist pallet with a red paintbrush with some black paint on the end. With a dot of red, black, blue, yellow, and green for paint on his left lower arm right above his wrist. On his right arm in the same area as the other one is of the symbol he used to wear on his shirt in college.) he looks the same as he did in college. Granted his shirt is now white with three black dots on his chest, instead of orange. His jeans are still purple. His shoes are light brown.

Chloe, on the other hand, looks the same. Almost like nothing has changed except that she's taller, that could be because of her heels. Her outfit is different of course. She's wearing a white shirt and yellow skirt and black heels with a strap over her ankle. Her hair still up in a ponytail, and still has sunglasses on her head. After a few minutes of Chloe trying to figure Nathaniel out, he speaks, “Where do you want your tattoo and what would you like a tattoo of?

Chloe stops trying to place Nathaniel. “I would like a tattoo of a bumblebee with a crown on its head. I want it on my foot right above my ankle.” Chloe points to where she wants it. Right where the strap of her high heel shoe. “I have a picture if you need one.” Nathaniel just nods and raises his hand.

 Chloe reaches into her purse and digs around inside. She then hands the picture to Nathaniel. He looks at the picture. It's hand-drawn. 'She must have had someone draw this for her, Nathaniel thinks to himself. If he recalls Chloe never had an interest in Art.

“Okay then. I just need to see your drivers license, so............” “Why do you need that? Can't you see who I am? I'm the mayor's daughter!” Chloe cuts him off with a yell. 'She hasn't changed at all.' Nathaniel sighs, “I know who you are, but I still need it to make sure you're over 18.” Without a word, she shows him her I.D.

 Its, not a drivers license. As long as it has a picture and her birthday, that's all he needs. He ushers her towards the back. There is a black chair for her. As soon as she sits down she crosses her left leg over her right knee.

Looking for Nathaniel so he can take off her shoe for her. He nowhere to be seen. Soon he comes out from the back with a clipboard. “I need you to read and sign this,” he speaks in a dull voice handing it to her. Without even reading it she signs it and tosses it back at him. 

Lucky Nathaniel was able to catch it before it hits the ground. With another sigh, he puts the clipboard away. “You don't have to cross your legs you can rest them on the chair,” Nathaniel says pulling out part of the chair for her legs to rest on.

Chloe rests her legs, still waiting for Nathaniel to take her shoe off. He ignores her mumbles as he sets everything up on the tray next to him. Finally, she took off her shoe, complaining about it the whole time. Dropping her shoe hoping to cause Nathaniel to jump. Didn't work, he just sets the tray down next to the chair and puts on his latex gloves. He gently picks up her foot and touches the area she pointed to before.

“This is where you want the tattoo?” He asked just to make sure. His answer was a harrumph. “I'll take that as a, “Yes,” then,” he speaks with an eye roll. As he gets to work, he tells Chloe what he's going to do before he does it. Even though it seems she not listening or doesn't seem to care, he still does it. When it comes time to color in the tattoo, Nathaniel looked up in time to see Chloe looking down at him.

“Are you making sure I don't mess up?” Nathaniel asked going back to work. “It doesn't matter if you mess up or not. I have enough money and remove the tattoo and try again with someone else, if you do,” Chloe responds in a cocky tone. “Of course,” he mumbles. Nathaniel didn't notice the look of hurt on Chloe's face when she heard him. After the tattoo was done she checked it out. 

“You did good” she hummed, surprising Nathaniel. “Thank you. Now before you go I need to go over somethings.” Nathaniel begins to explain proper ways to take care of her tattoo, he also gives her a written explanation also, just in case. Then he proceeds to tell her to come back next month, to do some finishing touches. Chloe leaves and Nathaniel cleans up.

The next night he has his painting class. It's a new class of new students. Nathaniel would never have guessed that he would like teaching or be good at it. In his studio where the class will take place, he looks over the sign-up sheet. “Two more than last time. Not bad. Everyone already paid, so I don't have to worry about that,” he said cheerily. Then he notices the time. The class will start soon, Nathaniel is excited like he always is before his first class.

His first student comes in. A young lady with bright green eyes and jet black short hair. Nathaniel can't help but stare. Shes dressed in a long grey coat and a grey hat to match. When she took off her coat she was wearing grey shorts underneath with a white top. So far her shirt is the only thing she's wearing that's not grey. She was 20 minutes early, so Nathaniel decides to introduce himself, like a good teacher that he is.

“Hello, my name is Nathaniel. I'll be your teacher.” The student nearly jumps through the roof. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you,” Nathaniel apologizes. Very slowly she turns around, looking down. “You just startled me. My name is Malissa.” “No need to be shy,” Nathaniel explains to her. “I'm not shy. Just a bit nervous,” Malissa defends herself. Nathaniel smiles, he gets some students like that once in a while. “There is no reason to be nervous either,” he lets out a small chuckle.

She laughs in return. Malissa has a nice small laugh, Nathaniel thought it was cute. He had to turn away to hide his blush. “Since you're the first one here, you can take any seat you want,” Nathaniel still has his back turned towards Malissa. As soon as his back was turned she was already in her chosen seat.

There was an awkward silence until the other students enter the room and took their own seats. Watching them as they sit, he notices that Malissa was right in front, in the left corner, still in front. When all students were in, Nathaniel closes the door. The class has now begun.

During class, Nathaniel keeps looking at all his students, Malissa more than anyone. She is brand new, never seen before, while the other students he's seen either a part of another one of his classes or from his tattoo parlor. Watching her, she grabs on his every word and isn't scared to ask questions. Totally different than the way she was before class started.

Today they started out making sketches of what they want to paint. Some needed some work and that's what Nathaniel is here for. He gives them tips and helps them improve. Every time he goes to check on Malissa she better than half the class. Nathaniel wonders why she's here unless she can draw and not paint. After class as the students were gathering up their things and cleaning up their area, Nathaniel does the same.

Once everyone was gone Nathaniel turns off all the lights and lock up the place. Outside he sees Malissa standing by the curb. “What are you doing here?” Nathaniel walks up to her. Again she jumps and slowly turns around. “I am waiting for my ride,” she looks down at her shoes again. Nathaniel checks the time on his phone. It's almost 10 pm. “I think your ride is late, class ended at 9:30.” Malissa looks at her watch.

“I guess I'll take a cab then,” she pulls out her phone from her coat pocket. “I can give you a ride,” Nathaniel volunteered. Malissa looks up, but not at him. “I don't want to trouble you,” she whispers more than speaks. “No trouble at all, tell me where you live.” Malissa looks down again. After a few minutes of nothing she speaks. “If you don't mind.”

In the car was nothing but dead quiet. Once in a while to break it Nathaniel would say something, only to go back to silence shortly afterward. He would ask little questions like; how was your day, did you like the class, and how did she hear about the class. The last question he never got an answer cause she announced her home.

Nathaniel stops in front of an old looking building. Not run down old but has been there longer than his parents where alive. It has five floors some windows have lights on. Malissa gets out the car after she thanks, Nathaniel. He watches she enter the building. It took her a few minutes to find her keys before she unlocked the door. Once in he drives off towards home.

Once inside Malissa takes the elevator to the third floor. At apartment 3D she knocks on the door. Sabrina Raincomprix opens the door. “Why didn't you picked me up?” Malissa whined. “Sorry, you never told me what time to get you,” Sabrina defends herself, she's been doing that more since Lycee. Malissa sighs have she falls down in a chair. “I had to get a ride from the teacher.”

“What's wrong with that?” “The teacher is Nathaniel.” Sabrina pushes up her glasses. “Nathaniel as in Kurtzberg?” Malissa nods as she takes off her hat. “I'll take you home now. On the way, I want to hear everything.” Malissa growls as she gets up. Sabrina stops in front of Le Grand Paris Hotel, and Malissa gets out. “Remember my next class is on Wednesday and it ends at 9:30.” Sabrina nods in understanding and drives off as soon as Malissa closes the door.

Once in her room, she tosses off her coat and hat across the room. She was aiming at the chair but they both land on the floor. Her jet black wig soon follows. Chloe Bourgeois is changing into her nightgown before she prepares a nice hot bath. Pretending to be Malissa took a lot out of her, she just glad Nathaniel didn't notice her. When she signed up for the class she was expecting someone like Theo Barbot, not Nathaniel Kurtzberg. Chloe takes out her color contacts after the bath and heads to bed. She does have work in the morning, at least Malissa does.

[ashtheshortstack]

ML Fluff Month Day 30 - Unmasked

Unmasked

Rated: G

Pairing: Adrinette.

For: @miraculousfluffmonth

ao3

Day 1 / Day 31

Marinette and Alya sat together on a schoolyard bench as the former doodled in her sketch pad while her best friend watched over her shoulder.

Adrien and Nino strode towards the two girls, the blond waving as they approached. “Hey, Marinette. Hey Alya,” he chimed as politely as ever. Marinette immediately felt herself tense and let out a small wave as an anxious smile plastered itself on her face.

Nino pranced over to his girlfriend and pecked her on the head. “Hey, babe.”  

“Hey, what brings you two around here?” Alya teased.

Adrien slid onto the bench next to Marinette, and she felt herself nearly combust. He was sitting next to her. Right next to her. Their legs were almost touching. They were breathing the same air. Oh, my God! She quickly looked down, a blush rousing on her face as she tried to go back to sketching, trying her best to ignore the fact that Adrien was following her movements.

As Nino sat down next to Alya, he gestured over to his friend. “Well, actually, Adrien wanted to come ask you guys something.”

Marinette felt him jolt beside her, he seemed to be yanked out of whatever trance watching her draw had put him in. He smiled. “Oh, yeah. I wanted to know if you guys were going to the Ladybug and Chat Noir ball at Le Grand Paris tonight.”

Alya hummed hesitantly. “We aren’t exactly sure. Marinette had some outfits started for us, but Chloe kind of implied that we weren’t invited.”

Nino cocked a brow. “How can you not be invited to a public event?”

“Because Chloe hates our guts,” Marinette mumbled.

Adrien shook his head. “That’s not fair. This isn’t Chloe’s party. It’s being put on by the mayor in celebration of Chat Noir and Ladybug,” he began to push himself off the bench. “I’ll go talk to her.”

Marinette grabbed his arm, and he spun his head back to face her. Freezing, she realized her impulsive action and quickly released him. “I-It’s okay, Adrien. You really don’t have to.”

His shoulders slumped, brow furrowing. “But it’s really not, Marinette. I was looking forward to spending the evening with you guys. That’s why I hoped you were going.”

Placing a hand on her heart, Alya cooed. “Aw, Adrien, I didn’t realize you thought so highly of mine and Marinette’s company,” she teased with a wink at Marinette.

“Of course!” He insisted. “Ever since you and Nino have started dating, I’ve gotten to spend so much time with the two of you, especially you, Marinette,” he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You and I make great third and fourth wheels together.”

Trying her best not to tense, Marinette forced herself to breathe. He’s touching me! She spoke after a moment of gathering her wits. “Y-Yeah, we are, aren’t we?” she joked with a nervous chuckle.

Adrien laughed before squeezing her shoulder and releasing her. Marinette almost whined at the loss. No, please. Keep your arm around me!

Nino gave a knowing chuckle before nudging Alya. “I think you two should come anyway, no matter what Chloe says. Without you two the night would be uncool, am I right? I mean, the owner of the Ladyblog not at the Ladybug and Chat Noir ball? Crazy!”

“That’s criminal,” Adrien added. He turned to Marinette with a grin. “I agree. You two should come anyway. You can just hang with me; I’ll make sure Chloe won’t bother either of you.”

“How noble of you, Monsieur Agreste,” Alya chimed with a grin.

“It’s nothing! I just want to spend an evening with my best friends!” he beamed. “So, what are the outfits you were working on, Marinette? I’m sure you’d make a great Ladybug. You even have a similar hair color to hers.”

She froze, hunching over her drawing with wide eyes, before playing it off with a laugh that was far too loud for normal social standards. You have no idea, Adrien.

“Me? Ladybug? No! I don’t even compare!” Trying to cover the uneasiness in her voice was proving to be difficult.

He scoffed. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a lot like Lady…bug…” Adrien’s voice trailed off a second as he stared at her, the gears seemed to be grinding in his head. Why was he looking at her like that?

Time to change the subject. She dodged his compliment by adverting their conversation back to the dresses. “Me? Ladybug? Nah. Anyway, Alya actually has the Ladybug dress. My dress is Chat Noir themed.”

Dragging him out of whatever thoughts he was in, Adrien seemed to light up at her words. “Really? I figured most people would do something Ladybug themed. She is the more popular of the two.”

Marinette couldn’t help the small giggle she let out. “I don’t think so. Chat Noir is just as much of a hero as Ladybug. They’re partners, you know. If you take Ladybug on, you take Chat Noir on too. I admire that about them.”

There it was. He was looking at her funny again. What was that? She couldn’t pinpoint what emotion he was feeling, and why he was aiming such a serious look her way. It almost seemed like he was in the middle of having an epiphany of some sort.

“Yeah, girl, Chat Noir and Ladybug are both hella cool. I do have to say that I’m more of a Ladybug fan, but that’s just because she’s spoiled me with so much attention for the Ladyblog.”

Marinette smiled. “I’m sure if you asked Chat Noir he’d be willing to participate. He liked to show off a lot—f-from what I’ve gathered, you know.”

“Yeah…” Adrien drawled. “I’m sure he would.”

Sensing an awkward atmosphere starting to gather, Marinette popped up from her seat on the bench. “Anyway, if we’re going to be going to the ball now, I’m going to have to get home and finish up some touches on the dresses. I’ll see you guys tonight,” she called as she started to run off.

“That was so weird, Tikki. I can’t figure out why Adrien kept looking at me like that,” Marinette mused as she stuck some pins in her dress.

Her kwami flittered from the top of the dress. “I don’t know, Marinette. Maybe, he was seeing how beautiful you are up close,” she giggled.

“Har, har. As if. Adrien only sees me as a best friend. He said so today.”

Humming, her kwami considered this. “Sure, but maybe that’s just because he doesn’t want to make things awkward between the two of you. He could like you too for all you know. Remember the poem? That was definitely meant for you.”

As she sewed another paw print onto the black fabric, she scrunched her nose at the thought. “Yeah, but Adrien never actually gave it to me.”

“Even famous model boys get nervous, Marinette.”

Her chosen giggled in response. “Okay, maybe, he chickened out, but I really doubt it.”

“Sureee~” Tikki teased, causing Marinette to glare teasingly at her kwami.

Marinette walked into the hotel, arm interlocked with Alya’s. Their dresses shared a similar Fifties’ theme, both frilled out at the bottom. The pair both wore their respected hero’s mask to mask the ensemble. Alya had her hair in two pigtails, while Marinette’s was down and curled with a green ribbon tied in the back. The girls joked that they had basically switched hair styles for the evening. Marinette’s outfit was completed by the tiny choker with a bell she had sewn onto it.

Alya turned to her with a smile. “Nino said that he and Adrien are already here. He told me to go wait for them at the drinks after we got here.”

Allowing her friend to drag her, Marinette went with the flow. “Alright.”

Not even a moment after they arrived, the girls saw Chloe was eyeing them. Well, she knew they were here now. It was up to fate how long it’d take her to cause a scene. Marinette was so distracted by her staring contest with her arch enemy that she didn’t even notice the boys approach until there was a hand plopping down on her shoulder.

“Marinette! You came!”

She squeaked and whirled around to see Adrien smiling brightly at her. He looked adorable in a Ladybug vest and mask. So, so cute! But, suddenly, as soon as their eyes met, he froze. A blush crept up his cheeks as he gaped slightly at her. Blinking, it seemed as if something had clicked in his mind. “You’re…”

“You’re not supposed to be here, Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” Chloe spat as she approached.

Snapping into her defense mode, Marinette lost focus on her crush, and instead slammed her fists to her hips. “You can’t tell me I’m not allowed to come to a public event, Chloe.”

Chloe let out a harsh laugh. “As if. This is my father’s hotel. I can do whatever I want. Now, I suggest you leave or else I’ll have the guards carry you out.”

As Marinette opened her mouth to argue, Adrien stepped in front of her and blocked her view. “Actually, Chlo, I’m the one who asked Marinette to come here tonight. She and Alya had planned on not attending, but I begged her to. If there’s anyone you should be mad at, then it’s me.”

Chloe stepped back, a bit stunned. “Why? Why would you want to hang out with someone like her?”

Adrien glanced back at her sympathetically, before taking her hand into his. Marinette felt her face flush. OhmygodohmygodOHMYGOD!!

“Because I like Marinette—a lot, and I really wanted to spend tonight with her. So, if you don’t mind. We’re going to go hang out for a bit,” Adrien bowed and gestured towards the elevator. “May we?”

Heart pound and head spinning, Marinette gave a tiny nod. She glanced back at Alya, who motioned for her to go on and shoo with a grin. Nino simply beamed as he wrapped an arm around Alya’s shoulder, looking on them with pride. The two gave each other a knowing glance as Marinette turned towards the elevator. Adrien placed a hand on her back protectively as they walked.

It was a quiet ride up the elevator as Marinette fiddled with the Chat Noir ring she had made on her hand. Her shoes must have seemed like the most interesting things in the universe since she kept staring at them. Not knowing what to say. Not knowing what to do. It made her so nervous.

When they reached the roof, they walked over towards the railing of the balcony. Both leaned forward on it, as if it were the most natural thing for both of them. Not having the courage to look at him, she gazed over the city lights as she spoke. “You didn’t have to do that you know.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw him look at her. “What do you mean?”

“Telling Chloe you liked me. Holding my hand. You didn’t have to do all of that to get her to leave me alone.”

“I didn’t say it because I didn’t mean it.”

Instantly, her head popped up to look at him. He was just smiling at her. “Do you… Do you actually like me, Adrien?” She didn’t know where all of this Ladybug confidence was coming from. Maybe it was because she felt safe whenever she was in a mask. As if it was more natural to be brave when identities were hidden. Although, Adrien did know she was Marinette this time.

Letting out a small chuckle, he looked down at the Paris streets. “I do, actually. I really do. But, I have to admit something.”

She cocked her head. “And what’s that?”

“I know you’re Ladybug.”

Marinette stopped breathing. Her eyes blew wide as her mouth fell open. “Y-You can’t tell anyone, Adrien! You can’t! At all! Ever! You could be in so much danger if you—“ He hushed her with a finger to her lips.

Adrien’s lips twitched into a small smile as he took her hand that had her fake Miraculous on it. Running a thumb across it, he gazed at her. “I shouldn’t expect anything less than perfect detail from you.” Holding up his own hand with a silver ring, he spoke gently. “Your ring almost looks like the real thing, doesn’t it?”

Taking in a breath, Marinette sucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she gazed down at the ring. Gliding her fingers across it, she instantly knew. She bit tighter, trying to prevent her lip from wobbling. Eyes watering, she simply threw herself at him, wounding her arms around his neck. “Chat!”

Nuzzling his nose into her hair, he wrapped his arms around her back, squeezing her tightly to him. “My lady, it’s you,” he whispered into her hair like a prayer. “It’s you.”

“It’s me,” she confirmed as she leaned back in his arms. Marinette couldn’t believe it. The two boys she had grown to love are one in the same. Luck had nothing to do with this. Fate was more like it.

Wiping her tears from her cheeks, he laughed. “All this time, it’s been you. How could I be so blind? All I had to do was see you in a different colored mask and it clicked.”

She let out a small snort. “I still didn’t know! But, okay, in my defense, your eyes literally change completely. Your hair too! You can’t blame me!”

Humming, he pretended to contemplate her excuse. He gave a curt shrug before leaning down to her with a smile. “I guess, I can let it slide, just this once,” he teased as he nuzzled her cheek, earning him a giggle from Marinette.

Then, they just grew quiet. Holding each other tightly, the pair just basked in the afterglow of such a revelation. Adrien kept his cheek rested on her head, while hers rested on his chest. He swayed them to the faint music from below. Marinette never wanted to leave this moment. Safe and comfortable in his arms, knowing who he was, that they were actually closer than two people could be. She hadn’t wanted to know who Chat was, but now that she did, she couldn’t be happier.

She felt his voice rumble in his chest as he spoke up. “Hey, Marinette?”

“Yes?”

“I love you. I really, truly love you.”

Marinette couldn’t help the gasp that left her lips as she turned to gaze at him. With a smile, she saw the adoration that filled his eyes to the brim. “I love you too, Adrien. I really do.”

“My lady, can I… Can I kiss you?”

Her smile turned shy as she glanced away for a moment. “Of course…” She started to pull herself up to him when he stopped her.

Rubbing a thumb across her cheek, he shook his head. “Without the masks?”

Marinette let out a laugh. “Sure thing, Kitty.” Adrien grinned in response before unhooking her waist, and pushing the black mask away from her eyes and past her bangs to rest on the top of her head. She reached up and pushed the ladybug themed mask away from his own eyes to the top of his head. “There,” she chimed.

Pulling her back towards him, he leaned in to brush his nose against hers. Slowly, he briefly pressed his lips to hers before retreating quickly. Her kitty was shy. So cute! Gripping him by the vest, she yanked him back down, smashing her lips to his clumsily. So, it was a messy kiss, but she had waited so long for this moment that they deserved every moment of it. They were pressed together, her hands cupping his cheeks as their lips danced together. Every minute of pinning, every emotion led up to this instance.

Marinette didn’t regret a single second of any of it.